R.E.A.P. the Benefits of a

Better Board

RECRUITMENT

ENGAGEMENT

ADMINISTRATION

PRODUCTIVITY

THE FIRST STEP TOWARD EFFECTIVENESS –YOUR BOARD SHOULD ASK AND ANSWER THIS

QUESTION!

WHY?

RECRUITMENT

Always tell your story to create awareness Create ongoing and varied opportunities for

volunteers:

Grants, Advisory, Events, Website Personal touch matters:

Host neighborhood/social gatherings

Follow-up mailings with phone calls

Reach out via room parents

MORE RECRUITMENT

Draft a long list of potential candidates and get Board approval to pursue any and all on the list

Think strategically- what skills do you need? Where is your organization in its life cycle?

Diversification that makes sense Be honest about expectations and

commitment Consider length of Board terms

“Never try to teach a pig to sing: It wastes your time and annoys the pig.” ~

Paul Dickson

People who are already committed to, and informed about your organization, will most likely accept an invitation to join and then become superstar board members.

Volunteers are a great source of candidates!

People who have the skills which match the requirements of upcoming projects and whose experience and demeanor suit the life stage of your organization make the best fit.

ENGAGEMENT

Board training for new members Focus on 1-2 organizational goals that all

members work towards:

Endowment, large grant, celebration Strong Committee structure, all members

assigned to at least one committee Committee Chairs periodically attend

Executive Committee meetings

MORE ENGAGEMENT

Expectation of 100% participation in financial contributions

Create ambassadors-provide business cards to members

Pres. & VP check-ins with committee chairs via phone or meeting

Conduct exit interviews

“Success is the maximum utilization of the ability that you have.”

~ Zig Zieglar

Getting people involved in a specific project engenders a sense of purpose;

the more you have to do the more you feel connected.

Teachers/educators are the spark; get them involved in the organization to the

greatest extent possible.

ADMINISTRATION

Hold monthly Executive Committee meetings & full Board meetings

Expect full attendance: use agendas, make them fun & interesting

Allow for email voting Set meeting schedule for entire

school/operational year Conduct annual strategic planning

MORE ADMINISTRATION

Nurture future leadership Provide professional opportunities for Board

members: workshops, article sharing Consider leadership/governance structures: ad

hoc committees Executive Director/Administrative Assistant vs.

Volunteer Maintain current website/social media

presence

“Motivation is the art of getting people to do what you want because

they want to do it.” ~ Dwight Eishenhower

Leading an Education Foundation is a lot like parenting- you need to guide, cajole, expect, lecture, listen, discipline, inspire, and organize with a large dose of flexibility and sense of humor!

Say thank you often, publicly, privately and in a variety of ways. It makes everyone feel good and it’s a great motivator.

PRODUCTIVITY

Create specific, measurable goals Define measurement tools Assign responsibility for every goal-

Accountability is crucial Invest in reliable donor database

software Produce some type of annual report

to share with donors & the community

MORE PRODUCTIVITY

Periodically review operating procedures for inefficiencies

Nip problems in the bud- case by case basis

LISTEN and encourage/expect others to do the same in meetings and gatherings

“It’s never crowded on the extra mile”

~William Dieger It’s not rocket science –It’s hard

work but so rewarding and important!

THANK YOU!